On Mother’s Day

To all our readers, happy Mother’s Day, with all the joys, all the sorrows, all the heartache and hope that come with it.

To the mothers who are being celebrated by their families, enjoy your day! You have earned it!

To the mothers who are with their family but are not being celebrated for whatever reason, we see you. We know your sacrifice.

To the single mothers who are doing the work of two parents, you are doing a heroic job and, regardless of what anyone says, are doing it beautifully.

To the mothers who adopted a child and who society judges just because they didn’t give birth, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I and so many like me owe you our lives.

To the new mothers who are scared out of their wits and second (and third and fourth and fifth) guess themselves every minute of every day, you’re doing great! Just remember, table manners are extra credit.

To all the mothers of grown children, we still need you.

To the mothers who are mourning the loss of their children, no matter the age or reason, you are in our hearts, and we stand with you in grief.

To the mothers who wonder where their children are and if they’re all right, we hear your cries and pray with you.

To the mothers who have just had a shouting match with your child, complete with “You’re the worst,” “I hate you,” and slammed doors, we know you’re not the worst, and we love you.

To everyone who has lost a mother, we know your loss is enormous, and we honor her memory.

To those who never knew their mother, we celebrate your strength and resilience.

To those who chose not to be mothers, you are just as worthy, just as entitled to our love and our celebrations as those who are mothers.

To all women everywhere, regardless of your “status,” you are worthwhile. You are laudable. We see you, and we celebrate you. Thank you. You make the world a better place!